Q - Do you make controllers? Or, do you make wireless valves?
A - No we don't make any of those.
Q - So, what are your products do?
A - Simply put, our gear replaces the wiring between controller and all other "stuff" that a controller controls (like pumps, valves, master-valves, and flow sensor). So, the gears stays as is, but the wires connecting all of them to controller (or controllers) just go away.
Q - How long you guys have been around? How come I didn't hear about you all?
A - Aivaka started as a chip (Not potato type) company in 2003. We were designing and building custom chips for clients. We started building irrigation gear in 2015 and had our first product (WB-100 kit) was out for sale in 2017. So we have been around and we know electronics very well and know how to do what we need to do. As for farming and landscaping and the need for various gears in irrigation, we are all still learning every day.
Q - Where do I purchase your products? Do you work with a distributor?
A - You can purchase our gear directly from us, send us an email with your order or simply call us. And, no, at this time we are NOT working with any distributor anywhere.
Q - Do I need to pay (to anyone) to use your radio and your systems? Is it on the cell phone with monthly or yearly fees or some kind of government fees?
A - No, our radio work on the FREE 900MHz ISM band.
Q - Would your gear work with any controller do I need to buy a new controller?
A - Our gear works with any standard 24V controller.
Q - Do I need to change the solenoid on the valve or change valve?
A - No, our gear works with almost all of the common 24V-AC solenoids. If the solenoid is a very rare type and it is a special order solenoid, then please call us. It is much easier to figure things out before we ship it.
Q: Do I need to change everything to a wireless setup?
A: No, change what you need or must change. Rest of the system can stay wired as is.
Q - How does this WS-601/621 kit work?
A - The kit is a sensor (made by another company in USA that we supply) and an electronic box which is our WS-601/621. The sensor is in the ground by the plants and WS-601 senses the moisture 24/7. Once the moisture drops below a level that is set by the user, then it triggers the valve for a set period (defined by the user) and it would irrigate the plants. It needs a valve receiver (like WB-100R). So, it is a 3 device combo.
Q - Do I need a controller for WS-601/621?
A - Not really, it is a stand alone system. But, it can work with a controller via a transmitter that we supply. We have no ability to connect to any controller if that is what you are thinking!
Q: What is the difference between WS-601 and WS-621?
A - WS-621 ONLY works at night, from sun-down to sun-up. So, it is an ideal solution for landscaping. Nurseries need to irrigate all the time, so WS-601 is for nurseries.
Q - Is there some sort of subscription fee for your gear?
A - No, nothing!
Q - How does this wireless pump start relay kit work?
A - Our gear just replaces the wiring between the controller and that 24V contactor you may have (or need to have). The kit comes with a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter connects to the controller and connects to the pump connection of your controller. The receiver (of the kit) sits on the pump side and is powered from the wall (115V or 230V) and produces a 24VAC for the contactor on the pump. Once controller comes on, pump goes! Let us know what you need (115V, or 230V or 460V version) and we ship the right product for you.
Q - Can we fire up ONE pump from multiple controllers?
A - Yes, let us know and we will customize a solution for you. One receiver at the pump and multiple transmitters is all you would need. One transmitter at each location of your choice.
Q - Can you recommend a valve or a controller?
A - We rather NOT do that, but we can point you to some folks who would be able to help you out with that decision and definitely share what we know with you.
Q - Does any of your gear come with an App for my cell phone?
A - No.
Q - Will there be an App for my cell phone in the future?
A - No.
Q - Can we fire up say 8 or 9 valves from one zone?
A - Yes, as long as you folks have the water pressure to handle multiple zones, the number of valves operated from one zones can be infinite since there is not multiple solenoids on the controller, at the same time anymore.
Q - How do I control the valve or pump?
A - The controller that you have would control the valve or pump, our gear simply replaces the wiring between the valve or pump to that controller. Controller is in charge of "controlling", right?! Unless, you use WS-601 to trigger the valve which works on its own.
Q - I want to control my valves with my cell phone, so your gear does it?
A - No. If you have (or will get) a controller that is connected to the cloud or WiFi or cell phone, then you can control your valve via the controller with your cell phone.
Q - How do we program these devices once we buy them?
A - No need to program anything, we program everything in our shop and ship them to you. So, it is just plug & play on your end.
Q - Can you help us with a system than we can control and monitor remotely on our cell phones? But, we do not want to use cell phone based devices?
A - Yes, there are off-the-shelf controllers in the market that can do many things and are connected to "cloud" and provide free or very low cost cloud based services. There are many out there that are very very economical, there is really no need for cell phone based controllers in our opinion. Again, we do not make them or sell them, but we can help you find one.
Q - I got a house with "so-&-so" controller and "so-&-so" size and I need one valve to be connected to the controller, can I use your gear?
A - Short answer is YES. But, our gear is really not a good fit for average homes due to the cost. But, we will sell it to you if you want or need it. We have been saving a good deal time and money for schools, farms, office complexes and HOA's due to the need to extensive digging and trenching and longer distances between valves, pumps, flow sensors and controller.
Q - Is this a WiFi or Bluetooth? Can I control your gear from my cell phone?
A - Answer is a solid NO to all of those question. Our gear runs on a 900MHz frequency and it is a closed system so communication is only between the transmitter and receiver boxes we provide. Our gear only talk to our gear.
Q - How the solar panel connected to the box? Are they outside the box?
A - No, they are inside the box. The box has a clear cover, so everything is inside the box and you don't have to worry about installing the solar panel. BUT, please make sure the box stays clean and not covered with dirt, bird poop (very common), paint or anything else.
Q - Do these devices work around corner of a building? What if there is a wall or some trees and shrubs? Does it have to be line of sight?
A - ALL RF devices will operate around a corner, even if they are NOT in line of sight. The distance or range would highly be dependent on what is between the transmitter and receiver, operating frequency, power level of transmitter and receiver sensitivity and few other things. Stucco walls (with the "chicken wire" in it) or steel framed buildings would reduce the range quickly. Trees generally are not an issue, unless we are talking about a bunch of them like in an orchard, then antennas have to be raised above the canopies.
Q - Would your products work with a 2-wire system?
A - It depends! Best way to figure it out is to call us and lets talk.
Q - How does the transmitters are powered? Do they need an extra power source like a 12V or 5V supply?
A - NO, there is no need for any additional power source. Transmitters are powered directly from the controller and there is NO need for additional power source.
Q - How can we extend the range?
A - We used a general purpose Yagi antenna for the receiver and managed to extend the range to 3 miles with bunch of trees and buildings and couple of barns in the mix. The antenna was placed about 16 feet above ground. We can customize the box for an external antenna and ship the antenna and box to you with needed hardware to mount them.
Q - Can we place the transmitters inside the metal box that houses the controller?
A - Yes, BUT the antenna MUST be placed outside the metal box. We will provide needed antenna and cable for your project if the controller needs to be placed in a metal box. RF signals die in a metal box, that is how things are just like cell phone signal in a metal frame building.
Q - Do you do custom solutions if we have a need for it?
A - Yes.
Q - Do I need to have direct sun light all the time on the receiver? Do the receivers need sunlight "all the time"?
A - Yes. We recommend direct sun light, minimum of 4 hours a day.
Q - Is there a battery inside the receiver?
A - Yes, the battery runs the valve and it would be trickle charged by the solar panel. The solar panel is NOT running the solenoid on the valve.
Q - How long is the warranty?
A - Three years, but our products are NOT covered for damages caused by lightning strikes or power surges, or if our products are run over by a car or truck (it happened!), damaged by a baseball bat or brick or any other object (in case!), vandalism, and damage caused by flood or a dog or rat or fox or some other type of 4 (or 2) legged creature.
Q - Do I need to buy a different controller?
A - No. If you have a 24V-AC controller and if it works for you, then you can use what you have. If you do not have a controller, then you need one. All of our devices work with any standard 24V controller, they also work with 2-wire systems.
Q - Can I use your product outside USA? Will you ship to outside to USA?
A - Our gear is only certified by FCC here in USA, so we will not ship it outside USA under any condition.
Q - What about lightning? How does this help?
A - No more wires between anything to controllers. So a direct hit on a valve or pump or any other device doesn't travel to controller or any other devices. Maybe one valve and its receiver box gets fried, but everything else stays put.
Q - We have a pump with so&so voltage and so&so horse power, can you get a pump start for that?
A - Yes, any voltage and any power. Just let us know what you need and we can offer you a solution or make you one if we do not have one already.
Q - We got "x" number of controllers scattered around our property, can we combine them in one place and NOT run new wires? We also want to use ONE controller only for the property.
A - Yes, we got very unique group of products for a project like yours. Call us up and we help you get it done.
Q - Does your gear work with any flow sensor?
A - Not ALL, but most of them in the market. Please call us up and let us know what you have in mind and we will help you with the project.
